Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In a previous post regarding albino Timber Rattlers, Joliff (?) stated that there is also a tyrosinase positive bloodline. Now, with my understanding of tyrosinase negative and positive, attributes to be "positive" is not necessarily a good thing. I do know it has expressed itself in some Western Diamondbacks. I would be curious to know how or why the previous poster assumes the timbers are "positive"?

For those who might not know what tyrosinase is, a simplistic explanation is that this is an enzyme that blocks melanin in the formation of skin pigment.

There are Tyrosinase Positive Timbers, Westerns, enyos, & S. Copperheads. These are animals that are Albino but not the T neg. specimens that are usually red, orange, & white (Coppers) or white & yellow as in the Rattlers. These animals have a purple colour where the black pigment is usually found. In T-neg. animals the black is replaced w/ white.